Automatic snow-fence.



H. L-SCHWITZER.

AUTOMATIC SNOW FENCE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 19. I918.

1,278,763. Patented Sept. 10,1918.

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An'roMA'rIo SNOW-FENCE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 10, 1918.

Application filed January 19, 1918. Serial No. 212,742.

To all whom it may concern:

. Be it known that I, HERMAN J. Sonwirznn, a citizen of-the United States, residing at Braham, in the county of Isanti and State of Minnesota, have invented new and useful Improvements in Automatic Snow-Fences, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in snow fences and the present invention relates to an improvement on the fence covered by patent numbered 979,036, granted to me on December 20, 1910. The object of the present invention is to provide means for raising the panels of the fence in a gradual manner so as to prevent the snow drifting over the top panel.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for raising the panels Which will be operated by the vibrations of the passing trains.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which is simple and durable in construction, reliable and efficient in operation and one which can be manufactured and placed upon the market at a minimum cost.

The invention also consists in certain other features of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, to be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and specifically pointed out in the appended claims.

In describing my invention in detail, reference will be had to the accompanying drawings wherein like characters denote like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which Figure 1 is a front view of a snow fence provided with my invention.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation.

Fig. 3 is a section on line 33 of Fig. 2.

As shown in the drawing 1 represents the main standards of my invention which are made of any suitable material and are preferably inclined as shown. 2 are the bracing standards which are connected to the main standards at the top so as to form a structure in the shape of the letter A, the two standards are connected together by a brace rod 3. Suitably supported on the main standards and extending between the same are the fence panels 4:. These panels may be formed of strips spaced apart or they may be formed of one piece of material or several pieces in close contact. These panels are so connected to the standards as to be capable of sliding movement thereon whereby the panels may be raised upwardly as the snow bank increases in height. The object of my invention is to provide means actuated by the vibrations of the passing trains to cause said panels to move upwardly and one manner of carrying out my invention consists of a segmental member 5 pivoted at 6 at the junction of the brace 3 with the bracing standards 2. A chain 7 connects this member with the upper end of the panel and the said member is provided with a groove for receiving said chain as the member rotates about its pivot. The said member is provided with an arm projecting outwardly from its pivotal point and adapted to receive a weight 9 which is adjustable thereon. This weight may be adjustably secured to the arm in any suitable manner.

The weight is so adjusted on the arm that the least vibration of the fence will cause said weight to move downwardly, thus rotating the segmental member and gradually raising the panels. In this way the panel is gradually moved upwardly so that the snow bank is prevented from drifting over the top thereof and thus filling the cut in which the track is situated. After the snow bank reaches the top of the standard there is no danger of the snow filling the cut as the bank itself will prevent this.

To prevent movement of the panels when desired I pivot a lever 10 on the guide 11 of the panel, said lever having a point which is adapted to engage with the standard to prevent movement of the panels. I connect each of these levers by a flexible connection 12 leading to the end of the fence so that all of the levers may be engaged or disengaged at the same time.

It is thought from the foregoing description that the advantages and novel features of my invention will be readily apparent.

I desire it to be understood that I may make slight changes in the construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, provided that such changes fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is 1. A snow fence comprising standards, panels movably mounted thereon, and means for moving said panels upwardly on the standards by vibrations.

2. A snow fence comprising standards,

panels movably mounted thereon, and means for gradually moving said panels upwardly for simultaneously locking or unlocking said panels to'the standards. 15

5. A snow fence comprising standards, panels movably mounted thereon, means for gradually moving said panels upwardly and by the vibrations caused by the trains, a lever pivoted to each panel and adapted to en- 20 gage 'the standard to prevent movement thereof, and aflexilble connection connected to each lever for moving the same into and out of operative position.

In testimony whereof Iraffix my signature. 25

HERMAN J. SCHWITZER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0. 

